BIC Annual Report 2016

Successes from our work in 2016 include:

• BBI JU projects mobilised a significant amount of private investment in European bioeconomy initiatives. There is large-scale industry involvement in R&D projects. Technology deployment is being supported through demonstration and flagship projects, which ensures investments in innovative production processes remain in Europe.
• Partners from sectors which previously did not collaborate are now working together. For example, new partnerships have been established between the chemical industry, the food industry and the forestry, pulp and paper industries.
• New sectors such as the food processing, aquatic-based and bio-waste sectors, as well as industries using CO2 as a feedstock, are joining BBI JU projects. Industry is seizing the opportunity to create value from waste and other side streams.
• The Bio-based Industries Consortium’s (BIC) membership is growing and becoming more diverse. Brand owners are interested in joining. Closer collaboration with brands will help to create market pull and support the development of novel biobased product applications.
• BIC has strengthened its regional collaboration because European regions are best placed to identify available feedstocks (agriculture, agri-food, forestry, waste and side streams, etc.) and have an important part to play in establishing value chains. Regions can also attract investments in local demonstration or flagship projects through the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) or the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Local investments will help support job creation and provide additional opportunities for the primary sector.